Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Acer circinatum 'Little Gem'

Little Gem Vine Maple

Sapindaceae

Pacific Coast of North America (British Columbia to northwestern California)

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitMounding
FoliageDeciduous
Height3–5 feet (90–150 cm)
Width3–4 feet (90–120 cm)
Maturity12 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Container Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Acer circinatum 'Little Gem' is a compact, slow-growing deciduous shrub reaching 3–5 feet (90–150 cm) tall with a spread of 3–4 feet (90–120 cm) over 10–15 years, significantly smaller than the species A. circinatum which reaches 10–25 feet (3–7.5 m). The habit is densely mounding. Leaves are seven- to nine-lobed, 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) wide — about half the size of the species — medium green, turning orange to red in fall. Small white and purple flowers appear in pendant clusters in April–May. Samaras, 0.5–0.75 inch (1.3–2 cm) long, are bright red when fresh, maturing to tan. Like the species, this cultivar performs best in the cool, moist conditions of the Pacific Northwest and does not thrive in hot, dry climates; summer temperatures sustained above 85°F (29°C) cause leaf scorch and dieback.

Native Range

Acer circinatum is native to the Pacific Coast of North America, ranging from southern British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon to northwestern California. It grows in the understory of coniferous and mixed forests, often along streams and in moist ravines at low to middle elevations. The 'Little Gem' cultivar was developed through horticultural selection.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen, rock garden accent, or woodland garden shrub at 4–5 foot (1.2–1.5 m) spacing. The small scale suits sites where the standard vine maple is too large: narrow borders, containers of at least 10 gallons (38 L), and understory positions under larger trees. Not suited to hot-summer climates, drought-prone sites, or alkaline soils.

How to Identify

Acer circinatum 'Little Gem' is distinguished from the species A. circinatum by its compact, densely mounding form and leaves only 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) wide, roughly half the size of the species. The seven- to nine-lobed, nearly circular leaf outline with doubly serrated margins is characteristic of all A. circinatum. Leaf sinuses extend roughly halfway to the center. The combination of very small leaf size, dense habit, and slow growth distinguishes 'Little Gem' from all other vine maple cultivars.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
purple

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

orange
red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Small white and purple flowers appear in pendant clusters of 5–20 flowers in April–May as new leaves emerge. Individual flowers are 0.3–0.4 inch (8–10 mm) across with white petals and purple sepals. Samaras, 0.5–0.75 inch (1.3–2 cm), are red when fresh, maturing to tan by August–September.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white petals with purple sepals

Foliage Description

medium green; orange to red in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Full Shade
Requires 2-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10–15 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0 in partial shade to full shade; full sun is tolerated in the Pacific Northwest but causes leaf scorch in regions with summers above 85°F (29°C). Water weekly during the first two growing seasons and through summer dry spells; established plants tolerate brief dry intervals of 7–10 days but do not perform well in sustained drought. Best suited to the Pacific Northwest and similar cool-summer maritime climates. Not suited to the American South, hot interior valleys, or regions with low summer humidity. No routine fertilization is required in amended soils.

Pruning

No routine pruning is required. The naturally compact, mounding form is self-maintaining. Remove dead or crossing branches in late spring after leaf-out. Avoid late summer or fall pruning. Do not attempt to train a central leader — the cultivar is multi-stemmed by nature.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 10 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic